Guzzo the Contrarian

Just a reminder that on Thursday, June 18th, The University of Arizona, Eller College of Management, Economic and Business Research Center will host their 2009 Mid-Year Economic Update Breakfast in Tucson.

If you want to attend, make sure to RSVP by June 14th.

At this year’s breakfast, University of Arizona economists Gerald Swanson and Marshall Vest review factors affecting the current contraction of the nation’s economy and its impact on the mid-year economic forecast for Arizona and its Metro economies.

IMO, Dr. Vest in the leading authority in Arizona economics. For those unfamiliar with Dr. Vest, he and his Eller colleagues correctly forecast our current recession months in advance, while most other economists throughout the state and country were telling us the economic outlook was rosy. So, it goes without saying that I value his research and opinions.

Dr. Vest is also the Forecasting Project Director for the EBRC quarterly publication, Arizona’s Economy. According to the April, 2009 edition:

The recession is nearing its nadir during the current quarter and will loosen its grip as spring arrives. With luck, and the enormous boost from the federal government, the economy should be back on track by year end – maybe sooner. At this point, patience is a virtue.

I’m sure that there will be record attendance this year. I’m even going to go out on a limb and forecast that the food won’t be too bad either. This year’s breakfast will be more than worth the $22.00 cost for admission.